Get ready to enjoy your takeout burger and fries with a mojito.
Or, if you fancy, a piña colada.
Starting today (July 8), pubs and restaurants in B.C. can sell single-serving, pre-mixed drinks for takeout or delivery with the purchase of a meal.
This news comes almost four months after the provincial government announced pubs and restaurants could permanently add packaged liquor products to takeout or delivery (again, with the purchase of a meal).
“We’re continuing to open up new revenue-stream opportunities to help our hospitality sector rebuild in the wake of the pandemic,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, in a press release. “At the same time, appropriate safeguards will be in place to protect public safety and prevent minors’ access to liquor.”
B.C. joins Ontario and Alberta in allowing cocktails-to-go (it was introduced in those two provinces in December 2020). The release notes there haven't been any public safety issues.
The province's statement goes on to say the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch will consult with industry on whether to expand the new measure to include single servings of beverages that are not mixed, such as neat spirits, wine, draught beer and other drinks available on tap.
Pre-mixed single servings for takeout will need to be packaged in a way that can be transported lawfully. They must also have a label that shows the type and amount of alcohol the drinks contain and lists all other ingredients.
Only people who have completed their Serving It Right training will be allowed to deliver cocktails with food, the government says. The customer, meanwhile, "will need to be prepared to present two pieces of identification" to show they are of legal drinking age.
